STANDARDS FOR BASIC ANIMAL CARE: DOGS

Terminology:

Female - Bitch

Male - Male

STANDARDS FOR BASIC ANIMAL CARE: DOGS

Basic Care:

• Fresh, clean water in a spill proff container should be accessible at all times.

• Food must be provided at least once a day with a good quality dog food (see feeding instructions on the package.

• If the dog is outside, even for short periods of time, it should have shelter available to protect it from the elements.

• With regard to being outside in winter weather, the breed of dog must be taken into consideration. Short haired dogs (Dobermans, Pitbulls, Dachshounds, etc.) and thin haired dogs (Russian Wolf Hounds, etc.) should not be left outside for extended periods in cold weather. They should only be let outside for a short time to relieve themselves because they were not bred to withstand the cold.

• The Dept. of Ag. & Markets does NOT recommend that dogs be constantly kept outside alone because dogs by nature are social "pack" animals and have a psychological need to be with their human packs. However, if there is absolutely no other choice for the owner than to keep the dog outside, the dog owner should provide a dog hous that meets the following standards:

The dog house should accommodate the size of the dog. It should be large enough to allow the dog or dogs to get inside and move about. However, the house should not be too large because in cold weather it must permit the dog's body heat to accumulate inside the structure ot provide some warmth. The breed fo the dog, its physical condition, and its age must be considered when determining whether a dog house meets its needs. The structure should:

1. Be raised at least two inches off the ground to prevent it from sitting in pooled water.
2. Be shaded during the hot weather months. During the winter, the doorway should have a flag of windproof material to cover it.
3. Contain sufficient bedding, such as straw or wood shavings that are changed often enough to remain dry and clean.
4. To ensure that a dog's water does not spill, a water pail should be attached to the dog house with an "O ring screw and a double end snap
5. Food should be increased during the winter months to provide the extra calories necessary for warmth. Water must be offered frequently to prevent freezing.

TETHERING (CHANINING) A DOG. ANY TETHERING SHOULD BE DONE FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME TO ALLOW A DOG SOME EXERCISE. The dog should have access to shade and protection from rain and snow. Problems associated with constant tethering;

• Tethering is abnormally restrictive and can result in behavior problems.
• Chains/ropes can get tangled and result in the dog's being strangled or dangerously restricted.
• Exposes dogs to attacked by other dogs and wildlife.
• Some owners may forget to check dog collars and they ofter become imbedded in the dog's neck. ?This is neglect and the owner can be charged with cruelty.
• As an alternative to tethering - TO PROVIDE EXERCISE ONLY -NYS Dept. of Ag. & Markets recommends placing a long cable between two trees or poles. A ring can be attached to the cable and the dog's chain or lead clipped to the ring.
• The dog should have yearly veterinary exams including preventative shots and medications. The dog should be spayed or neutered to prevent the birth of additional litters and to improve the health and behavior of the dog.

YOUR PET NEED'S SPECIAL CARE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS

1. NEVER leave an animal in the car. At 70, the temperature in a car can soar to over 110 within a few minutes -- even in the shade.

2. Never over exercise your dog in warm weather.

3. Make sure your pet always has fresh, cold water.

4. Beware of sun-baked pavements; they can burn tender paw pads.

5. Begin flea & tick prevention early.

6. Keep small pets & birds out of direct sunlight.

7. Keep animals indoors during thunderstorms & firework displays.

8. Keep a close eye on your pet near the swimming pool.

9. Book your pet's vacation (at a reputable kennel or schedule visits from a reliable pet-sitter) when you book yours. This will prevent a last minute rush,

If your pet displays heavy panting, extreme lethargy, or elevated temperature (symptoms of heat exhaustion), cool him down immediately with cool towels or a gentle cool shower. It takes only minutes for your pet to suffer brain damage or death.

 

 

DOGS & OPEN TRUCKS DON'T MIX

lAST JULY, THE fLORIDA MEDIA REPORTED AN INCIDENT WHERE A DOG WAS DRAGGED TO DEATH AFTER FALLING OUT OF THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. THE DOG WAS DRAGGED ALONG AS THE DRIVER DROVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY LISTENING TO THE RADO ON HEADPHONES UNABLE TO HEAR THE HONKING OF OTHER DIRVERS DESPERATELY TRYING TO ALERT Html

tHE aMERICAN hUMANE aSSOCIATION ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST 100,-- DOGS DIE EACH YEAR FROM TRAVELING IN THE BACK OF PICK-UP TRUCKS. DR. LISA NELSON, PRESIDENT OF THE VERMONT VETERINARY ASSOCIATION SAYS, & QUOTE; SUDDEN STOPS CAN LAUNCH LOOSE DOGS OUT OF THE TRUCH AND ONTO THE ROAD. EVEN IF THEY ARE TIED, A DOG CAN STILL OUT OF A TRUCH AND BE DRAGGED OR STRANGLED."E; INJURIES TO THE EYE AND FACE MAY ALSO OCCUR BECAUSE OF WIND AND FLYING DEBRIS.

PRECAUTIONS FOR TRAVELING SAFELY WITH YOUR PET MUST BE TAKEN IN CARS AS WELL AS TRUCKS. WHILE DIRVING THROUGH NEW HAMPSHIRE, BILL MERRITT, AN OF DUTY POLICE OFFICER, WITNESSED A DOG JUMP OUT OF A CAR WINDOW ON A BUSY INTERSTATE KILLING THE DOG AND CAUSING A SERIOUS TWO CAR COLLISION.

FORTY - TWO STATES HAVE LAWS PROHIBITING THE CARRING OF ANIMALS IN AN "UNSAFE MANNER & QUOTE . ONLY OREGON, CALIFORNIA, RHODE ISLAND, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND MASSACHUSETTS HAVE LAWS REQUIRING MANDATORY SAFE RESTRAINT FOR DOGS.

UNFORTUNATELY, NEW YOURK STATE DOES NOT HAVE A MANDATORY RESTRAINT LAW FOR DOGS, BUT THERE IS A PROPOSAL IN THE NEW YOUR STATE ASSEMBLY WHICH WOULD AMEND THE NEW YOUK STATE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW BY INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS IN THE BACK OF MOTOR VEHICLES. INFORMATION ON THIS BILL (NO. 03500) CAN BE FOUND ON THE NEW YOURK STATE ASSEMBLY WEBSITE (assembly.state.ny.us) ONCE THERE, CLICK ON THE ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM ICON AND THE NEW YOUR STATE BILL INFORMATION INCON - THEN ENTER THE BILL MEMBER. (WHILE YOU'RE THERE, YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO LOOK UP BILL #A.883 aka SHELTER-FOR-ALL-ANIMALS BILL.) PLEASE LET YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES KNOW THAT YOU SUPPORT THESE BILLS.

 

 

 

 

This is taken from the MHRHS NEWS LETTER